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Airbnb Vs. Traditional Rentals: Where should you put your money?
Caroline Gillies • October 5, 2023
Airbnb vs. Traditional Rentals: Where Should You Put Your Money?
Investing in real estate can be a smart way to make your money work for you and secure your financial future. These days, there's a trendy twist to this classic investment strategy – Airbnb rentals. But how does Airbnb stack up against good old traditional rentals, and what does it mean for your ability to secure loans for future investments? Let's dive into it!
Airbnb:
The Good Stuff:
- Show Me the Money: With Airbnb, you can potentially rake in 2-3 times more money compared to traditional rentals. This is especially true if your place is in a touristy spot.
- Flexibility Rules: Airbnb lets you call the shots. List your property when you want, for as long as you want. You can even block it for renovations, maintenance, or those last-minute personal getaways.
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- Hands-On Gig: Be ready to roll up your sleeves because Airbnb is a more hands-on gig. You'll need to arrange cleaning, restocking, and deal with those unexpected "Oops, I locked myself out" moments.
- Rollercoaster Occupancy: Airbnb's occupancy rates can feel like a rollercoaster ride. It depends on things like where your place is, the time of year, and what's happening in the market. Be prepared for the occasional dry spell and budget for it.
Quick Tips for Airbnb Hosts:
- Use apps to price your pad competitively.
- Two words: key lockboxes. One for check-ins and another for lockout emergencies.
- If you're not up for the hustle, more real estate agencies are now offering management of Airbnbs.
- Check local council rules before diving in; they can be strict about short-term rentals.
Traditional Rental Property:
The Good Stuff:
- Money on Lock: Traditional rentals offer financial stability. With leases usually running for 6-12 months, you know when the rent's coming and how much.
- Easy Breezy Maintenance: No need to deck out your place like an Airbnb. Traditional rentals are less time-consuming, and property managers can handle the nitty-gritty tenant stuff.
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- Poor cashflow: Traditional rentals might not fill your pockets as fast. And with current interest rates and expenses, your cash flow could be in the red.
- Rent Price Red Tape: New laws mean you can only up the rent once a year for existing tenants. That means slower income growth.
Quick Tips for Traditional Landlords:
- Pick a property manager based on their skills, not just the price.
- Bedrooms are the Most Valuable Players in rental properties. More bedrooms usually mean more rent.
The Money Talk:
From a bank's point of view, both Airbnb and traditional rental income can count. But they do it differently.
- Rental Income: Banks usually look at rental income from the purchase date but play it safe by shaving off as much as 30% for expenses and vacancies. Some banks will consider only 10% for these expenses but one of our mortgage brokers will find the right bank for you.
- Airbnb Income: Airbnb money is treated like a business. You must show two years of tax returns to prove it's the real deal. Once you've got those, your borrowing power goes up. During those first two years, though, banks treat it as vacant and use the rental appraisal for your loan.
So, whether you are team Airbnb or team traditional rental, just remember to chat it out with your trusted advisors– accountant, mortgage broker, and real estate agent. They'll help you make the best moves for your money. As always, any questions drop us a line!
This article was kindly supplied by Plex Finance www.plexfinancegroup.com.au
The metaphors we use when talking about money are both intriguing and revealing. When we overspend, we say we're "bleeding" cash; when it arrives out of the blue, it's "pennies from heaven." Money holds such importance in our lives, yet so many businesses seem to throw it around without a clear budget. Sticking to a budget is a fundamental aspect of financial health. It also signals to others that you're in control and on top of things. Keeping your business on budget doesn’t have to be a hassle—think of it as a creative challenge. If you're open to putting in the work and making some tough choices, sticking to a budget can be the best workout for your business mind. Do you know how to build a budget that keeps your business safe from financial troubles? We do, and we’re here to help you create a budget that works—and ensures you stick to it. If you need help with your budget give us a call today 4688 2500.
From 1 January 2025 all Australians selling property need a clearance certificate to prevent a portion of the sale price from being withheld. While it is understood that most lawyers are handling this process for their clients, it’s important for everyone involved to be aware of this requirement. Clearance certificates for Australian residents All Australian residents (for tax purposes) selling or disposing of Australian real property (property) must have a clearance certificate and give it to the purchaser at, or before settlement. Without a clearance certificate, the purchaser must withhold up to 15% of the sale (or market value if not sold at arm's length) for foreign resident capital gains withholding (FRCGW) purposes. Example: the importance of getting a clearance certificate early – 15% withheld from sale Willow and Stanley are Australian residents for tax purposes. On 1 September 2024 they decide to sell their family home, their main residence. They need the funds from the sale to purchase a new residence. They are both listed as owners of the property on the certificate of title, so both must apply for their own clearance certificate. They find a purchaser on 8 January 2025 and sign the contract of sale, with a settlement 30 days later on 6 February. They don’t apply for a clearance certificate until 15 January and don't have both of their clearance certificates at, or before settlement. The property sold for $600,000, however: • Willow's clearance certificate issued and was given to the purchaser • Stanley was still waiting for his clearance certificate. The sale goes through and settlement occurs. As Stanley didn't have a clearance certificate at settlement, 15% of Stanley's share of the sale ($90,000) must be withheld by the purchaser and paid to us. Stanley must wait until his 2025 tax return is lodged and processed for a refund. As the purchaser had received a clearance certificate from Willow, there's no withholding required on her share of the sale. (Example provided by the ATO website) If you would like to read more about Clearance Certificates, please click on the below link: https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/investments-and-assets/capital-gains-tax/foreign-residents-and-capital-gains-tax/foreign-resident-capital-gains-withholding/australian-residents-and-clearance-certificates#ato-ClearancecertificatesforAustralianresidents
We wanted to bring to your attention some important changes regarding student and training loan indexation that have just passed through Parliament. The law is changing how the indexation on student loans is calculated. In the past, indexation has been based solely on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) . However, moving forward, the indexation rate will be based on the lower of either the CPI or the Wage Price Index (WPI) . This new rule will be backdated to 1 June 2023 , which means it will affect loans from that date onward. Here’s how the updated indexation rates break down: 3.2% for 1 June 2023 (reduced from 7.1%) 4% for 1 June 2024 (reduced from 4.7%). Impact on Your Loan If your loan has been over-indexed in the past two years, you may be entitled to a refund . The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will automatically adjust your account to reflect the new, lower rates and will process refunds for any excess amounts already paid. This means: If after the adjustment, your account is showing a credit (i.e., you've paid more than required), this excess will be refunded to your nominated bank account provided you have no outstanding tax or other Commonwealth debts . If your loan is in credit after the adjustment, any remaining funds may be transferred to offset your income tax account (if applicable), and the remainder will be refunded to you. What You Need to Do For most clients, there’s nothing you need to do at this stage. The ATO will automatically recredit excess amounts to your account once the legislation receives Royal Assent , and this process will begin soon after. You should expect to see these credits applied to your account by the end of January 2025 . However, in some cases, due to the complexity of individual accounts, it might take a bit longer. Unfortunately, the ATO cannot provide a list of exactly which clients will receive refunds, as they will only know once all recredits are processed. We drew inspiration to write this article from the ATO
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